Facelift, botox, breast augmentation – we go to extremes to look our best, to feel comfortable in our own skin. And while there’s nothing wrong with these procedures, there are other ways to feel better about yourself.
Fortunately, a Harvard professor, Amy Cuddy, found a way to train our bodies to change the way we think and increase our confidence by “faking it until we mean it.”
We want you to be confident and successful in your endeavors, so we’ve put together a list of poses that can help you get your next meeting or interview right. Are you ready for the challenge?
Poses That May Boost Your Confidence
The Science Behind It
A social psychologist at Harvard Business School, Amy Cuddy, became a global sensation when she gave a TED talk on power poses and it immediately made us wonder what it was all about.
According to her, doing a high-power pose for about 2 minutes a day can increase our testosterone levels by 20% and decrease cortisol levels by 25%, which in turn will make you feel more confident and less stressed.
The Loomer
Even the most confident people can start to fret when it’s their turn to present a new idea during a meeting. These kinds of high-impact social situations where there’s a power struggle can trigger your anxiety.
In order for this pose to come off well without coming across as too arrogant, it’s important to practice it beforehand. When it’s your turn to speak, stand up, place your hands on the table, and lean forward.
Being on a higher level than the rest of your peers will make you appear more powerful and authoritative. Make sure to make eye contact to show that you are involved.
The Mx. Clean
In every relationship, there is a give and take. Sometimes it is necessary to let things go to restore peace. However, if you always commit, it is better to try this pose.
Stand up straight, keep your chin up, and roll your shoulders back. Make sure your shoulders are not facing forward, as this can seem like a sign of weakness.
Your hands should not be tucked behind your arms, as this can be perceived as distant, but should rest on your forearm and upper arm. You are now ready to position yourself!
The Lean Out
You are preparing for a job interview. You’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this for a while, but something is missing: that killer confidence that says, “I’m going to get this job.” It turns out that the way you sit can decide whether or not you can do it.
Wrapping your arms around your torso, crossing your ankles, and lowering your chin are all signs of an underpowered pose. Instead, when facing the interviewer, try sitting down, leaning back in your chair.
Open your chest and rest one arm on the back of the chair and place the other on the arm of the chair. This type of expansion conveys a sense of power and assertiveness.
The Wonder Woman
Our confidence can also have a bad day, especially when we do something that involves exposing ourselves and taking risks. It’s normal to feel butterflies in your stomach when you go on a date for the first time.
Before you give up on the idea of meeting someone new, summon your inner Wonder Woman with this pose.
Plant your feet firmly on the ground, hip-width apart. Place your hands on your hips and stretch your chest. Your chin should be up as a sign of confidence. Touching the neck, lowering the head, orbiting the nails can be considered signs of insecurity and submission.
The Squinch
After many sleepless nights, you finally make up your mind and decide it’s time to get the raise you deserve. But unfortunately, the misfortune is having to ask your boss. Before your cortisol levels skyrocket, practice this several times in front of a mirror to gain the confidence you need.
Our eyes are considered the window to our souls, so it stands to reason that we can tell how someone is feeling through them.
The wide-eyed deer in the headlights are basically yelling out loud, “I need to get out of here!” Photographer Peter Hurley has demonstrated that when we squint and narrow our eyes, we look more attractive and show our worth.
What pose would you like to try? Do you think you can “fake it until you mean it”?
